STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey showed off his trademark versatility, slipping out of the backfield for a 56-yard touchdown reception and diving over the pile for a 1-yard score, and No. 6 Stanford beat Southern California 27-10 on Saturday night.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up had a routine 260 all-purpose yards. Michael Rector went 56 yards for a touchdown on a reverse with 3:26 left in the third quarter to make it 27-10.

The Cardinal (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12) have now won seven of nine against the Trojans, the best nine-game stretch for the Cardinal in the history of a rivalry that covers 96 games and more 111 years.

USC (0-1 Pac-12) is 1-2 for the first time since 2000, when the Trojans started 1-4 in Pete Carroll's debut season as coach.

The takeaway

USC: The Trojans looked like a team still trying to find an offensive identity and some creativity under coach Clay Helton. Their best player, receiver JuJu Schuster-Smith, had three catches for 34 yards. Max Browne (18 for 28 for 191 yards) was solid, but the Trojans did little to stretch the field and played it safe on several third-and-longs. Mobile freshman quarterback San Darnold's only extended playing time came late in the fourth quarter.

Stanford: The Cardinal were content to mash away against a thin USC defensive line. The 200-pound McCaffrey was the workhorse between the tackles, carrying 30 times for 165 yards.

Up next

USC: The Trojans have a short week of preparation to get ready for another road game against a smash-mouth team. USC plays at Utah on Friday night.

Stanford: This was the start of the toughest stretch of the season for the Cardinal. UCLA is up first next week. Stanford has owned the Bruins lately, winning eight straight meetings. After that, Stanford has its own quick turnaround road game on a Friday night at Washington.

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Sefo Liufau (13) is hit by Michigan Wolverines defensive end Chris Wormley (43) just as he passes the ball in the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State Bison place kicker Cam Pedersen (36) celebrates with placeholder Cole Davis (7) after kicking the game winning field goal on the final play of the fourth quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. North Dakota State won 23-21. Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports

Clemson Tigers running back Wayne Gallman (9) carries the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Joshua S. Kelly, USA TODAY Sports